Four Design Approaches to the Modern-Day Toolbox: Part 4 - Parat Goes for Every Form Factor Imaginable

In this four-part look at different toolbox designs, finally we come to Parat, which has one of the larger tool storage catalogs of any company we've seen. Like Tanos, the company's desire is to produce storage for every single thing any tradesperson could possibly carry; but unlike Tanos, Parat has foregone any notion of connectivity and modularity--perhaps due to legacy issues--and instead produces a bewildering array of form factors, giving the end user a wide variety of options.

Their Paratool line is a unique-looking sort of wheeled briefcase, which can be rolled or carried depending on the load and terrain. The interesting design feature is that it's meant to serve as a mobile tool platform; with the telescoping handles extended, the box can be opened and set at a particular height to allow access to the tools.

Their Parapro line will be familiar to anyone who's used Pelican cases, often the mobile storage unit of choice for photographers and military outfits. Like the Pelicans, the Parapros are 100% waterproof, dustproof and airtight, and molded from nearly indestructible polypropylene.

Their Evolution line looks something like a wall-mounted cabinet that has been adapted to ride on wheels.

Their Top-Line category seems an odd choice of materials, being made from embossed leather bound at the corners by aluminum angles, in the manner of a flight case. One interesting touch are the rows of bristles within that are meant to hold hand tools in place regardless of their shape. They also offer a variant loaded up with drawers.

Parat's latest product line, the Paracurv series, was on show at Holz-Handwerk. Parat is billing the line as the "classic case of the future," referencing their materials departure: The Paracurvs are made from a flexible, sturdy and lightweight weave of thermoplastic bands that are melted onto the surface of an ABS structure.

At press time the Paracurv line wasn't yet up on their website, but here's the teaser vid:

This is just a fraction of what's on offer from Parat, but should give you an idea of how broad their range is. You can check out the rest here.

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